Grid heater controls?

[Black dawg]

Picked up a first gen that is donating its motor to a ford. Truck is a 90, and all wiring is intact, and does run the grid heater when you turn the key on cold.



My questions are, below what temps does the factory controller start to run the grid heater, and is the controller system worth transfering to the frd. I do know that these rarely need any grid heater to start easily, and this one seems exceptional at that. A push button would be completely acceptable, but if the factory controller works good?

 

[Rug_Trucker]

Controlled by the ECM. There is a need for them in MT. I recently hooked mine back up just before we dove into the lower teens. I'm in middle TN. It didn't like to crank in the 20's very well and chugged a bunch. Can be run off a toggle. 2 solenoids running the 2 leads.

Your KSB on the IP is also controlled by the ECM. It advances your timing on cold starts and moves your timing going down the road. Can energize it with a toggle switch for starting if needed. Mine is disconnected as I have my IP advanced 2 teeth. Having the KSB connected might cause bad things to happen. You can advance your IP without advancing the gear. However you should pull the timing cover and make sure the KDP-killer down pin is tabbed.

 

[Black dawg]

Kdp will be taken care of, probably going to reseal the engine, since it has been sitting many years. Plan on leaving all tuning as stock, as to get to enjoy all that 160/400 has to offer for a bit. Easy enough to adjust the power level later.




These ve pump engines have always impressed me how easily they start, and this one is no different. Seems like about 15 degrees is where it needs the grid heater to start instantly. Anything above 20 degrees starts like it was already warmed up.

 

[Rug_Trucker]

1 tooth will make a world of difference. Changing out the timing cover with the motor in the truck sucks. Bump it a tooth while it's out of the truck. My factory service manual has bad information. Spray the injector pump gear with brake clean. Mark the gear where it lines up now with a permanent marker. Not sure what the ultra best mod I have done so far for mpg's. I think it's the timing, and a small twist on the smoke screw.

If you have a IC engine a non IC AFC spring will slow your fueling and give less smoke in the process. Slightly adjusted the screw on the AFC it added less pedal off idle to get moving. May have increased fuel mileage too.

 

[Rug_Trucker]

added info above